They appeared outside a lavish mansion. Snape dropped Danny's hand and began to march through the open gates and up the long drive.
"Hurry. And remember, you must call him my lord from now on," Snape hissed. Danny jogged to keep up and nodded.
"I got that Severus. Don't worry. If I can fool the order, I can fool these guys," Danny muttered. They had agreed to never mention Phantom when in enemy territory. Danny's halfa status had to remain secret. Not just for Danny's loved ones' safety but also for Danny's and possibly Snape's too. Snape paused on the doorstep and allowed Danny to collect himself before he knocked on the door.
A thin blonde woman with deep wrinkles on her face, clearly from worry, opened the door a crack.
"I've come to speak with the Dark Lord Narcissa. He is here correct?" Snape informed her, not unkindly. The woman nodded shakily.
"H-he is Severus. C-can I ask why?" she replied. Snape glanced meaningfully behind himself at Danny, who had established a calm, polite stance with his hands neatly held behind his back. The witch bit her lip.
"New recruit, should our lord deem him worthy," Snape elaborated. Narcissa nodded and opened the door wide enough for both of them to enter the mansion.
She then led them through the impressive, large house to a grand dining room. Voldemort, the same as the last time Danny saw the wizard, was sitting beside a roaring fire stroking a massive snake Danny recognised. He scowled at the reptile slightly before training his features into respectful awe of the wizard. He also readied his mind for Voldemort to breach, bringing the memories he wanted Voldemort to see, the fake ones he constructed, to the front and blocking the real ones away at the back. Snape stepped forward and softly called to the wizard, dipping into a low bow. Voldemort lifted his gaze from the fire and frowned at Danny. Danny, noticing the wizard's gaze, bowed himself.
"Who have you brought with you Severus?" Voldemort asked in a silky voice.
"This is Daniel Fenton. Until recently, an order member. He wishes to join our ranks," Snape answered with respect. Voldemort scowled and turned to Danny.
"Why did you change your allegiances?" Voldemort inquired.
"My lord, the order has never really respected me or taken me seriously. I'm from America you see so there are culture differences which may lead to confusion. Dumbledore was the only person who actually could see my potential. Many members thought it best I leave the order, so I did. I only joined the order as Dumbledore promised to protect my family in America. However, I know a losing side when I see one my lord. I wish to offer my services to you in exchange for safe passage for my family. I'm a half-blood you see," Danny explained calmly. It was a believable story that he and Snape had taken a month to get right.
Voldemort tilted his head curiously at the teen.
"How old are you?" he wondered.
"Eighteen my lord. My birthday was a week ago," Danny answered instantly with a slight bow. Voldemort considered Danny. The snake flicked its tongue at Danny before hissing filled the air.
"Nagini tells me that you have met before. In the department of mysteries over two years ago, correct?" Voldemort remarked. Danny nodded.
"It is my lord. Dumbledore sent me to help Arthur Weasley once the order learned of the attack. The blood traitor, Weasley, was already being attended. So, as per orders, I went to check on the prophecy and I ran into your snake my lord," Danny confirmed. This was what Snape and Danny were counting on. It was the only thing that Danny Fenton had noticeably done for the order. The hope was that Danny's quick arrival into a place that was very difficult to get into would impress Voldemort enough to give Danny a chance rather than kill the teen instantly for being in the order. Voldemort listened to his snake hiss again.
"You were bitten," Voldemort added to the story. Danny nodded.
"Yes, my lord. I was. However due to circumstances I was unable to go to St. Mungo's. I treated myself using muggle medicine and then stole the cure when they found it. Severus helped me by providing blood replenishing potions," Danny affirmed. They had already decided to be as truthful as possible.
"Is this true Severus?" Voldemort inquired. Snape nodded.
"Yes, my lord. It is true. Fenton came to my office in Hogwarts, unseen, and asked for my help. We got talking while the potion brewed," Snape replied with a slight bow, lying slightly in order to get Voldemort to believe that Snape and Danny Fenton were good friends. Voldemort turned to Danny and made eye contact with the teen. Danny knew what Voldemort was doing and was prepared. The wizard was going to read his mind. Danny let him into his fake memories, crafted with care and attention to detail over the months Snape and Danny had been preparing for this.
They let Voldemort see the snake bite with slight tweaks to protect Danny's secret. They let him see Danny treating his wound and asking Snape for the potions. Danny also showed Voldemort his altered parents and how much he cared for them. The hope was, by making his family so important from the start, Voldemort would see that as long as he protect Danny's loved ones, the teen would be loyal. The importance placed on them would protect them and Danny, making his story that much more believable. Danny let Voldemort see the argument in front of Harry in Hogwarts. He also showed Voldemort a number of fabricated events where Danny was pushed aside in the order to add more to his story that the order didn't take him seriously. Every memory Danny guided Voldemort to, served a purpose without Voldemort knowing.
Voldemort withdrew and nodded to Danny. He stood up for the first time.
"Give me your arm," Voldemort ordered softly.
"My lord, perhaps I could remain an unmarked follower. With all due respect, a mark ties me to you and I work best when I can't be traced back. I can get into places without being seen but if I have a mark, I may not be able to talk my way out of trouble and return to you with information," Danny interjected with as much care and reverence as possible.
"The Dark Mark shows your loyalty to me. With it, I can call you to me," Voldemort retorted sharply.
"I understand that my lord. I truly do. Severus explained its importance. I would be honoured to have one. But, I fear, it would hinder my ability to serve you my lord. I was hoping to have the exception, using two way mirrors instead. A mirror can be broken and ties are severed. A Dark Mark cannot be hidden easily and I may be used against you. I would not wish that to happen my lord. I am not a gifted wizard. I'm not going to lie and say I am. But I can sneak into places no other can. Infiltration and knowledge gathering. That is my strong point. It was why Dumbledore recruited me before I was of age," Danny replied calmly as possible.
Voldemort glanced at Snape, who nodded in agreement. Voldemort turned to the door.
"Malfoy!" he bellowed with such sudden force, Danny flinched. Narcissa and Draco quickly appeared at the doorway and bowed to the wizard.
"Do you have two way mirrors?" Voldemort requested, somehow making the question sound like a demand. Narcissa trembled fearfully.
"We don't. B-but we can get some," she answered quickly. Voldemort nodded curtly.
"See that you do. Our new friend here will require them. Severus will keep the twin," Voldemort decided, giving Danny a smile, obviously meant to be warm and welcoming but somehow twisted itself into something more sinister. Danny bowed deeply.
"My thanks my lord. I'm honoured," Danny quickly retorted as graciously as possible.
Narcissa rushed away to source the mirrors as quickly as possible, Draco Malfoy moved to leave as well.
"Wait, Draco. Daniel, you may stay here for the night if you wish," Voldemort commented. Danny noticed the veiled order. Danny bowed.
"Thank you my lord. Things haven't been easy since I left the order," Danny lied. Voldemort smiled again.
"Draco will lead you to a room here. Severus, you're welcome to stay the night also," Voldemort offered, despite not owning the mansion himself. Severus bowed.
"I apologise. I cannot accept. Pettigrew requires a watchful eye. He has not left my home yet. But the next time, I promise I will accept such a kind offer," Snape answered.
Both Danny and Snape bowed and left the room. Snape offered Danny a quick smile in farewell and good luck. Danny followed Draco Malfoy up the wide stairs to a second floor bedroom with lavish bedspread and on-suite bathroom.
"You can sleep here," Malfoy mumbled softly. Danny nodded.
"Thanks. Daniel Fenton, But you can call me Danny," Danny introduced himself. In Hogwarts, Danny had his hands tied and couldn't reach out and help Draco, but now he could be friendly to the teen.
"Uh, Draco Malfoy," Draco returned. Danny smiled. Draco turned to leave but paused.
"You were in the order? Why did you come here?" Draco asked carefully. Danny scanned the blonde teen. Despite being home a couple of weeks and the mission being finished, Draco looked just as sick. Pale, thin and exhausted.
"I came because without Dumbledore, the order didn't appreciate me. Without Dumbledore, the order is going to break down and my family will lose its protection. Unlike you, I'm not pure blood. I have muggles in my family. And I'm not stupid. The Dark Lord isn't going to stop at Britain. I'm hoping, in return for my loyalty and services, the Dark Lord will spare my father," Danny explained gently. Draco nodded slowly in understanding before leaving. Danny turned to the large bed and with a sigh, collapsed on it.
And Danny has begun infiltrating Voldemort's ranks.
Let me know what you think so far of the story.
A lot of people were wondering what Danny could offer Voldemort, well there you go.
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Until the next chapter.
